elphers
11-27-2007, 03:00 PM
I just got a call from my gyno who ordered my back xray yesterday. It showed no compression fracture, which is what I thought that I had. Someone said that it might not show up on a reg. xray, that an MRI is better. The pain in my middle back when I sit is awful! Should I just try to live with it and get the nose spray that I was prescribed?
Thanks!
Thanks!
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DesertBloom
11-27-2007, 06:12 PM
Hi Elphers: Sorry that you don't have an answer to your back pain. It's true that some compression fractures don't show up on an x-ray and some people have to go through a mri to find it. That's not to say that your problem isn't something else either.
If you could go to a spine specialist or ortho they would probably run a whole battery of tests including an mri, ct scan and possibly a emg. Have you injured your back lately?
I've had many back surgeries so I'm familiar with many different types of problems, but the first thing you have to do is get a diagnosis. I was also thinking about something else and wondered; did the gyno look at the actual films from the x-rays, or did they read the radiologists report? If you go to a surgeon, (ortho, neuro) they won't read a radilogists report because they aren't that accurate on fx's etc. A surgeon will only look at the actual film to determine if there is a problem. If you can get to a different dr (surgeon) you'd be much better off on a dx. If you haven't injured your back recently you still need to find the cause of the pain.
Good luck with this, if you have any specific questions fire away.:)
If you could go to a spine specialist or ortho they would probably run a whole battery of tests including an mri, ct scan and possibly a emg. Have you injured your back lately?
I've had many back surgeries so I'm familiar with many different types of problems, but the first thing you have to do is get a diagnosis. I was also thinking about something else and wondered; did the gyno look at the actual films from the x-rays, or did they read the radiologists report? If you go to a surgeon, (ortho, neuro) they won't read a radilogists report because they aren't that accurate on fx's etc. A surgeon will only look at the actual film to determine if there is a problem. If you can get to a different dr (surgeon) you'd be much better off on a dx. If you haven't injured your back recently you still need to find the cause of the pain.
Good luck with this, if you have any specific questions fire away.:)
BoomerBones
11-27-2007, 06:36 PM
Elphers,
I just went through a compression fracture and DesertBloom's advice is on the money. The hospital ER totally missed my fracture when they took X-rays after I fell. It was only when I continued to complain about really nasty pain that the dr ordered an MRI which showed T11 compression fracture.
If at all possible, you really want to see an ortho who has more than a little knowledge about osteo. Not all of them do as you probably know. And try to get a second opinion. If the last 4 months has taught me anything, it's that the doctors are too keen to offer advice even when they're not the experts in that subject. But your gyno is only reading the radiologists report and you want a doctor to put up the film who knows how to read it.
Good luck! I hope it all works out well for you.
I just went through a compression fracture and DesertBloom's advice is on the money. The hospital ER totally missed my fracture when they took X-rays after I fell. It was only when I continued to complain about really nasty pain that the dr ordered an MRI which showed T11 compression fracture.
If at all possible, you really want to see an ortho who has more than a little knowledge about osteo. Not all of them do as you probably know. And try to get a second opinion. If the last 4 months has taught me anything, it's that the doctors are too keen to offer advice even when they're not the experts in that subject. But your gyno is only reading the radiologists report and you want a doctor to put up the film who knows how to read it.
Good luck! I hope it all works out well for you.
elphers
11-27-2007, 07:19 PM
Thanks Desert and Boomers for the info! Boomers, what was the treatment for your compression fracture? Did you have kyphoplasty?
If I go to an ortho, do I request the xray films from my gyno to be sent to him or should I get new pictures?
I'm sure you guys are right-- that my gyno was just going by the radiologist's report.
Just sitting here at the computer is killing my back! I didn't fall or anything-- I think the pain is from my osteoporosis.
I went today to pick up my new presc. for the nose spray, but was told that I have to come back tomorrow. Hope that the spray helps!
Thanks!
If I go to an ortho, do I request the xray films from my gyno to be sent to him or should I get new pictures?
I'm sure you guys are right-- that my gyno was just going by the radiologist's report.
Just sitting here at the computer is killing my back! I didn't fall or anything-- I think the pain is from my osteoporosis.
I went today to pick up my new presc. for the nose spray, but was told that I have to come back tomorrow. Hope that the spray helps!
Thanks!
BoomerBones
11-27-2007, 08:57 PM
I did have the Kyphoplasty. What I've learned is that everybody responds differently and it has to do with the degree of fracture, where it is, if it's pressing on a nerve, etc. It's worth exploring the procedure and I did get relief just not to the extent that the surgeon led me to believe.
First thing of course is to determine IF you have a fracture and then what the best approach is. I was told the only reasons to do the Kyphoplasty are (a) degree of pain and (b) if the fracture isn't healing on its own. In my case, it just wasn't healing.
Good luck! Please let me know if you have any other questions.
First thing of course is to determine IF you have a fracture and then what the best approach is. I was told the only reasons to do the Kyphoplasty are (a) degree of pain and (b) if the fracture isn't healing on its own. In my case, it just wasn't healing.
Good luck! Please let me know if you have any other questions.
DesertBloom
11-27-2007, 10:56 PM
Hi you two: Until you find out whats going on with your back, try to limit your sitting as much as possible. When you sit you compress all the vetebraes with your total body weight and sitting just ISN'T good for your spine. If you have to sit, break it up into 10-15 minute increments or less if you can. Move around very gently by stretching your back to get it out of that compressed state from sitting. If you need any simple stretching suggestions let me know, otherwise do what helps the pain.
Boomer is correct on why they decide to do kypho, but you could have something else going on with the discs or nerves etc etc. There are so many different things that could cause that type of pain. I hope you miacalcin works but don't expect it to do anything for this problem. Hopefully that med will help your bones in the future, but it won't do anything for an existing condition. Did you do anything like bend over and pick something up, cough or sneeze too hard??? These things along with alot more could cause a spinal injury or temporary strain which is very painful.
Leave the decision about redoing the x-rays up to the ortho/spine specialist/osteo specialist. I have an osteo doc, but she doesn't read x-rays, she leaves that up to the surgeons. So if you can get an appt with someone who knows alot about fx's and the spine, ask them if they want to read the actual films or redo them along with whatever else they decide. I've talked to at least a dozen people who had compression fx's that didn't show up on x-rays and it wasn't until they insisted on an mri or ct scan that they found it. The sad thing is they waited a long time getting someone to listen to them and do something about it.
I can't remember did I ask you if bending forward is excruciatingly painful???? Also have you hunched forward in your posture? These are just some of the symptoms of thoracic fx's which is where you have the pain, or at least that's what it sounds like (middle of back). That area could also be the lumbar area too, but try to get some real help from someone who can "actually" treat it.
Don't give up, I know how drs are and sometimes you just have to push and push until you find someone who listens and ACTS. I also agree on the second opinion and a third or fourth if you have to.
Good luck...
Boomer is correct on why they decide to do kypho, but you could have something else going on with the discs or nerves etc etc. There are so many different things that could cause that type of pain. I hope you miacalcin works but don't expect it to do anything for this problem. Hopefully that med will help your bones in the future, but it won't do anything for an existing condition. Did you do anything like bend over and pick something up, cough or sneeze too hard??? These things along with alot more could cause a spinal injury or temporary strain which is very painful.
Leave the decision about redoing the x-rays up to the ortho/spine specialist/osteo specialist. I have an osteo doc, but she doesn't read x-rays, she leaves that up to the surgeons. So if you can get an appt with someone who knows alot about fx's and the spine, ask them if they want to read the actual films or redo them along with whatever else they decide. I've talked to at least a dozen people who had compression fx's that didn't show up on x-rays and it wasn't until they insisted on an mri or ct scan that they found it. The sad thing is they waited a long time getting someone to listen to them and do something about it.
I can't remember did I ask you if bending forward is excruciatingly painful???? Also have you hunched forward in your posture? These are just some of the symptoms of thoracic fx's which is where you have the pain, or at least that's what it sounds like (middle of back). That area could also be the lumbar area too, but try to get some real help from someone who can "actually" treat it.
Don't give up, I know how drs are and sometimes you just have to push and push until you find someone who listens and ACTS. I also agree on the second opinion and a third or fourth if you have to.
Good luck...